Improved car-coupling



N. W., NORTHRUP.

Car Coupling.

2 Sheets-Sheet -1.

Patented Oct. 21, 1862.

.ErEns.

2 SheetsSheet 2. N. W NORTHRUP.

Car- Coupling. No. 36,758 Patented 0m. 21, 1862.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NELSON W. NORTHRUP, GREENE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVED CAR-COUPL|NG.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 36,758, dated October 21,. 1862.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, N ELsoN W. NORTHRUP, of the town of Greene, in the county of Ohernango, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improved Mode of Coupling Railroad-Oars; and I do hereby declare that the following is a clear and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents an under side view of the car-platform and part of the coupling mechanism. Fig. 2 shows a similar view of another car-platform reversed, with the other part of the coupling mechanism to match and lock the cars. Fig. 3 shows an end view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is 'a side view of the same. Fig.5shows an end view of Fig. 2,right side up. Fig. 6 shows a detached view of the funnelmouthed chamber and latch. Fig. 7 shows a top view of two platforms, or the ends of two cars coupled together. 1

Myinvention is of that class calledfselfcoupling, and it consistsin the peculiar construction of the stationary selfadjusting shackle-bar attached to one of the cars, and the square funnel-mouthed chamber; spring latch or catch, and disconnecting-rod, and mechanism attached to the other in such manner as to always insure a connection of the cars when broughtin contact with each other.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will describe it more in detail, referring to the several figures in the drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon. 1

On one end of the car-platform Z, I secure on the under side two paralled pieces of metal, Z Z, through which, at bearingsi z, is fitted to work at right angles a sliding bar, the same being held to its central position by two side springs, jj, which are fastened to the metal piecesZ Z. In the center of the sliding bar 9 is hinged the shackle-bar h in such a manner as to allow it to vary sidewise, by the action of the springs jj on the slide 9, to conform to the vibration of the cars sidewise. The shacklebar h is also hung on a vertical bolt or pin, 3 near the front end of the platform zathe pin 3 being supported by a bracket, 2, the same being firmly secured to the under side of the front end ofthe platform'w and extending down a sufficient distance to admit of spiral or rubber springs 11 1; both above and under the shackle-bar h, so as to allow the shacklebar to gear a considerable distance up or receive and guide the shackle-bark in any position it may be placed when two cars come together. In one side of the tube A are two slits, b and c, in which to firmly secure the latch or catch B, as seen in Fig. 6, which has a pivot, 11., to work on at the rear end, and is so shaped as to have two firm supports at the front of the two openings or slits b and 0,-

when in its place, and held there by the spring f. secured to the tube A for that purpose. The catch B receives the shackle-bar h, and the slit or peculiar-shaped opening t is entered by the angular point rof the catch, and thus the two cars are securely coupled together without any aid or assistance more than to bring them together; and it 'is designed that there shall be very little or no open space between the ends of the two platforms. I put a rubber spring-bumper, D, in the end of the car-platformto prevent a concussion or jar as the cars come together.

For the convenience of uncoupling the cars I have a rod or bar, 12, hinged to the catch B, reaching out at a right angle to one side of the line of the cars. To this bar p is another rod, P, attached by a togglejoint, 8, and a rock-shaft, m.to be operated by the foot, on the top of the platform, sothat the cars can be uncoupled from either side by a person standing outside of the track or by the brakeman standing on the platform, so that in any position or under any circumstances there can be no possible danger to life or limb in coupling or uncoupling oars.

What I claim as myinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The compound union adjustable shackle- 'bar h, side springs, j j, slide-bar g, the springs d o o, and bracket .2, the slit 2? in the shacklebar, the slits b c in thechamber A, the hori zontal latch B, spring f, rod 10, rocker m, vertical bolt y, and shoulder-rests b c, all in com bination with the rubber spring-bumper D, in the manner hereinbefore purpose herein set forth.

NELSON W. N ORTHRUP. Witnesses:

S. W. Woon, J. B. WOODRUFF.

stated, and for the, 

